Bobby Roberts, Central Arkansas Library System director, presented the Pope County Library System (PCLS) Board of Trustees with bond options and laws during its regular meeting Wednesday.

Roberts explained that bond millage is a voter-approved millage and requires 100 signatures before it goes to the Quorum Court and Election Commission for approval.

“Bond millage can be used for a wider range of things, such as building or expanding libraries, purchase of computers, books, and other items,” Roberts said.

PCLS Director Shawn Pierce said she wanted the board to learn from Roberts’ experience on library expansion.

“The Pope County Library System’s primary focus right now is to see how other libraries have funded the construction or expansion of their facilities, see what services the public would like to see in those buildings and form the Library Foundation,” Pierce said.

PCLS is composed of four libraries — Atkins, Dover, Hector and Russellville. The library system’s master plan, which was completed in 2012, recommends each branch increase 4.5 times its current size, Pierce said.

On Feb. 14, Pierce gave a three-minute presentation to the Arkansas State Library Board and asked for a $25,000 General Improvement Fund to purchase land. Forty libraries from across the state applied for the grant, and 20 directors gave presentations to compete for the funds.

“The funds were awarded to smaller libraries requesting the grant for roofs, air conditioning and carpeting,” Pierce said.

At this point, Pierce said the board is simply gathering information.

Pope County residents can visit www.popelibrary.org to fill out a public survey on the matter.